FREE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THE CHRONICALLY ILL

Early day motion 1469, tabled 18 June 2002 by Paul Marsden (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 57 members.

That this House notes that the existence of prescription charges is a serious barrier to access to health care, particularly for those suffering from chronic conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis; further notes that the regulations specifying conditions that qualify for exemption have not changed since 1968 and that the Wanless Report described the current situation as 'not logical, nor rooted in the principles of the NHS'; also notes that the Government, in opposition, said that 'we will seek to provide free medication as part of ongoing or long-term requirements' but that they have failed to do so; and calls upon Government to fulfil this commitment and to extend the provision of free presciptions to all those with long-term medical conditions.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 42, Labour 9, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2.